Monthly Archives: March 2026

ACTS THE SEQUEL…THE CHURCH MATURES – 13

Bible Study, ,

“So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭6‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A new development…the church was growing at a furious pace and, with the numbers came complications. The logistics had changed. The simplicity of the early days, when all the people could meet together for worship, prayer, and teaching, was over. How the church functioned in those early days in practice is not clear. Three thousand plus in one place?

However, the church had become, with its supernatural growth, an organisational problem…and with the problem…a test…either descend into chaos or grow in maturity?

How would the leaders navigate this one? Did the apostles take a leaf from Moses’ book? Moses followed Jethro’s advice…to delegate…and so did the Twelve. They approved a group of men, chosen by the people, who had a reputation for wisdom and Spirit-filled lives, to administer the day-to-day affairs of the church while they applied themselves to their God-appointed task…prayer and the ministry of the Word. 

The leaders were wise. They didn’t try to run the whole show. They knew their function and their limitations. Delegation was their solution, entrusting to others responsibilities they were not required or able to carry!

“So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭6‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So, seven more men were added to the team…the Apostles who were the spiritual overseers and guides, and the seven “deacons”…servers who took care of the practical matters as they arose. 

The Holy Spirit was at the helm…and the ship sailed on! The apostles gladly followed as He led, so that peace and harmony once again reigned in this human, fallible, fragile, yet mighty army of God’s people. They were let loose on the world, armed with the Word of God and equipped with the Holy Spirit’s presence and power…to turn the topsy-turvy world right side up.  

“So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭6‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

To be continued

ACTS THE SEQUEL…A NEW CHAPTER – 12

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“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Cracks were appearing in the fellowship…first, hypocrisy, now racism. Isn’t is amazing, yet inevitable, that “the flesh” begins to make its appearance, even in the very “temple of the Holy Spirit”, the church?

The next crack that appeared to threaten the church…complaining…dissatisfaction! Something was not right. This spelt danger…subtle but real. Satan’s tactic was first, always, to drive in a wedge between people …and the trigger? 

Of course, Jew versus Gentile…he would pull the inevitable “race” card.

In the culture of that day, Jew versus Gentile was the hot potato…and still is today. Is not the existence of Israel the cause of the chasm between east and west…the source of contention, hostility, and war? It will be the final issue that Jesus settles when He returns to set up His kingdom on earth. 

In the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and providence, He inspired Paul to record the infallible truth about the issue. Jesus dealt with “racism”…all racism everywhere…by the cross. 

“Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Gentiles were once cut off from God, outside the covenant, separated and without hope. Then Jesus died…and everything changed. 

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus died to accomplish something amazing and impossible…to reconcile Jew and Gentile… to create a new human  “race”…to obliterate the hostility and unite them into one. 

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This is awesome! There is no government, no legislation, no education, no prescription on earth that can do what Jesus did.  He destroyed the hostility and created a new unity

…and the devil tried his best to undo what Jesus did. 

This new phenomenon the Holy Spirit had created…a body of people who thought and acted as one…has to be disrupted. Satan’s first, subtle tactic was discontent…not warfare…just dissatisfaction…get self a little ruffled…just enough to stir up the silt…muddy the waters…just a little!

“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.”

Somehow, in the peaceful and orderly life of this new community, someone had allowed a distinction to creep in. Some received and others didn’t That’s all…but it was enough to stir the pot. The have-nots began to murmur, quietly at first…then louder until those at the helm heard. 

Once again, grace stepped in, wisdom prevailed, and peace was restored. Once again, the Holy Spirit was in charge…steering the ship into quiet waters…and slowly but steadily unfolding the way in which this church, this temple of God, the Holy Spirit, would take shape and be built…in the world but not of it…by Jesus Himself…to ride the storms of persecution, deception, infiltration, and every form of opposition and sabotage through the centuries…until it is revealed in its glory when Jesus returns. 

We, who are in integral part of this story, have the assurance that the same Holy Spirit who fell on the people…gave birth to the church…and initiated the process…will be steering the ship to the end of time. He has already written the final chapter…when Jesus returns to claim His bride…the church…perfect, complete, and intact…made up of Jew and Gentile…just as He has promised. 

To be continued

ACTS THE SEQUEL…THE FIRE BURNS ON – 11

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“Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ NIV

The demise of Ananias and Sapphira, in such a shocking way, rather than dampen the spread of the church, had fanned the flame inti a blaze. The healing of a lame man, a miracle so spectacular that the news about it spread everywhere without the help of “social media”, was God’s instrument to spark the fire. Not even the untimely death of two of the members of this new movement could halt its spread. 

Well! If healing was on the programme, everyone wanted to be in on it. This unplanned healing campaign drew people from far and wide, and the Holy Spirit, through His chosen instruments, flowed in unlimited power, even through Peter’s shadow! Yes, the same Peter who blustered his denial of his Master in the high priest’s courtyard…this same Peter was now the “stone”, solid, immovable, and anointed, through whom the Holy Spirit spoke and did remarkable things. 

The authorities were alarmed…so alarmed that they acted…again…immediately. This thing had to stop now…before their authority, their power over the people evaporated. Warning the perpetrators of this “rebellion” and ordering them to stop didn’t work! They must step up the pressure. 

 “Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Shut them up in jail! That might silence them. 

God was not fazed. He simply sent an angel to release them!

“But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” 

The odds against the opposition were unfair…men against God can never win!

The ringleaders of God’s campaign were incorrigible. I think that they were enjoying this skirmish. After all, they had divine support in this battle so…they couldn’t lose. Jesus was with them all the way. 

Where did the officers find them the next morning? Not in the jail cell where they were the night before! Back in the temple…doing what they had been forbidden to do!

“At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭19‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Now what! No amount of action against them was stopping these “defiant” men! Wait a moment. Were they defying delegated authority or obeying a higher authority? 

Paul’s instruction is clear…they must obey the governing authorities…

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Should the apostles have obeyed the instructions of the Sanhedrin?

The record of the outcome of their “defiance is once again the story of grace…God the Holy Spirit moulding their hearts and reactions to mirror the Lord Jesus in His response to unjust treatment… 

Were they defiant?

“Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 

They were indicted!

“The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 

They were compliant!

“Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!”

They had witnessed!

“The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 

They were sentenced!

“When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.”

Their accusers were cautioned!

“But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” His speech persuaded them.”

They were punished!

“They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.”

They were delighted!

“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”

They were obedient!

“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬, ‭27‬-‭30‬, ‭32‬-‭35‬, ‭38‬-‭42‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In this remarkable story…where hell was pitted against heaven…where grace overwhelmed injustice…where fallible humans, indwelt by the infallible Spirit, absorbed evil without retaliating…obeying the Spirit without missing a beat…we see the pattern of the power to overcome…just as Jesus had done!

“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

And the church soldiered on, learning…growing…and maturing in its trust and obedience in the midst of the war, and doing serious damage to the dominion of darkness in the process. 

To be continued

ACTS THE SEQUEL…THE WAR WITHIN – 10

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“Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There were believers and counterfeit believers in the company. Of course! That’s how the enemy infiltrates. Spies! Imposters! Anything to spoil the purity of the church…anyone willing to pretend…to muddy the waters…to destroy the witness, could infiltrate the company. 

The first crack appeared in this apparently perfect church…the one Jesus said He would build in the most ungodly of places. A couple in the congregation craved the recognition and accolades that the sincerely generous ones received for sharing their bounty with the have-nots.   

It happened like this. 

“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭33‬-‭35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God’s grace had invaded the hearts of ordinary people. 

One can imagine the gratitude of the recipients of this generosity.  The givers were named, praised, and respected for their deeds…and Ananias and Sapphira wanted the same recognition. They hatched a plot to win the admiration of the church too. 

So, they also sold their land but…they weren’t ready to give all the proceeds away. They gave their gift with a flourish! They were also part of the “righteous” ones…the generous ones who had a heart for the needy but…a red light flashed in their bank account!

It wasn’t that they had no right to share their profits as well as save some for a rainy day. It was that they were hypocrites…pretending to be as generous as those who gave all. 

And Peter got a tip-off…from the Holy Spirit! You see, when the Holy Spirit is in control, it’s impossible to keep secrets, especially if they are “dirty” ones…and that they affect Jesus’ church. 

Oh, horrors! Peter spilt the beans…in public…and he didn’t cushion his words. He called a spade a spade. 

“Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Peter quickly recognised the source of this deception. Of course, it was the devil at work…the deceiver…the intruder…infiltrating the company of God’s people. 

Ananias was so shocked at the disclosure that his heart stopped beating, and he fell dead…right there…at Peter’s feet…in front of the whole church. A few young men quickly removed his body and buried him. Jesus would not allow compromise to sully His people. Their witness, at this crucial moment in the infant church’s life, must be untainted and unspoiled by selfish ambition. Jesus was on display, through all of them. 

Unfortunately for Sapphira, who was in cahoots with her husband, and who told the same lie, suffered the same fate. The two lying hypocrites lay side by side in death…This was a swift and clear message to the church that the Holy Spirit, the representative of Jesus in His people, would not tolerate impurity in His body.    

The outcome was fear… holy fear that swept through the church and the people of Jerusalem. No one dared mess with the Holy Spirit and yet…fear had an unexpected outcome…a fear that set the direction of this mighty work of God. . 

“Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭11‬, ‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…the church kept growing! There was a new respect for God and holy things. Just as, in the days at Sinai, after God had joined with His people in a solemn union sealed with a covenant, He acted decisively against rebellion and disobedience, so the Holy Spirit did the same at this crucial moment. 

In future days, when the fervour had cooled, when the discipline was forgotten, when the enemy’s inroads were more subtle…and the church spread across the Roman empire…so would the attacks against it. There would be the frontal attack of persecution which, like an oil fire that cannot be extinguished with water, only spread the blaze. Then there would be the subtle, more dangerous infiltration and dilution of the church with error and compromise…which demanded wisdom and divine authority to counter. 

There would be generations to come that would need truth to steer the ship and hold it on course. 

But…Jesus knew…and Jesus had His response…His men, armed with His Spirit…to inscribe and protect the truth…to preserve with pen and ink His infallible Word…to arm future generations with the weapon that will ultimately win the victory. 

God is never at a loss to handle any issue that arises!

And so, as the church grew in numbers and influence, as the opposition surfaced…and the Holy Spirit countered it with the written record of truth…in the stories and communications of ordinary people empowered by the Holy Spirit, so God’s eternal Word was preserved…and His plan to spread and secure His message to the whole world for all generations slowly took shape…

Peter would write. Paul would write. John would write. Even Luke, the Gentile “outsider”, would  write. They would tell the story…of Jesus…of His church…that would forever record the miracle and mystery of this living organism that carried the presence of Jesus in the world…then…and now. 

To be continued

ACTS THE SEQUEL…GREAT POWER, GREAT GRACE – 9

Bible Study, ,

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭32‬-‭35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Imagine that!

Something miraculous was going on…turning the hearts and lives of believers in Jesus inside out and upside down. What had happened to the people who, only a few weeks previously, had poured hatred and contempt on the person they now worshipped as Lord?

The Holy Spirit had come! He had transformed murderers into lovers of Jesus. Grace had come…to kindle life in those who had been dead in their sins…to set His people on course towards God, heaven, and a new life of loving service. 

The outcome was startling! Selfishness was driven out by righteousness…a generosity that lovingly sacrificed for the sake of those in need. For a season in this newly-born organism of the church, everyone shared in the bounty of those who gave of their resources. Everyone shared and everyone had enough…and everyone rejoiced in this grace that flowed so freely in their fellowship. 

It was not only grace that flowed…so did the power of God. Their generosity was the outcome of unity…and God’s power was unhindered  by selfishness or competition. 

What a witness to the ungodly world around them! Never had the people in Jerusalem ever seen a phenomenon like this…people living together in harmony…no quarrelling…no arguing…no competing…no self-seeking…just joy, laughter, and togetherness day after day!

To top it all, they were sharing their money! This was beyond natural…and the church was growing in numbers every day as people were drawn in by the Holy Spirit’s power, unhindered by human interference.  

Through grace, hearts were changed…and God’s power worked deeply within them. Peace reigned among them. Jesus was glorified through them and…Jerusalem sat up and took notice, but…there was a worm in the apple!

To be continued